Ask GamerDad 3/07/08
Posted on March 8th, 2008 by
WhatTheyPlay .com has posted the latest issue of “Ask GamerDad” – the column that answers questions and is written by GamerDad. Come on, you know you want to hear the questions and read the answers. Who are you to refuse? One question is about Grand Theft Auto and a 10-year old for cryin’ out loud! And the second? Two words my friend: “Maple” and “Story” – I’ve said too much already. Just click the link!
March 8th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I liked how you separated out the ‘addictive’ thing – that is one of those words that has specific legal and medical meaning, and folks have to watch out using them!
I know I am fairly strict with my kids, rolling out more mature content across all media bit by bit as they get older. But I also don’t think that playing GTA (or Postal 2) will ‘break’ them … anymore than me seeing Jaws at their age mangled me for life (oh, wait 😉 ).
But I really agree with what you said recently – that while you feel that nothing in studies says that playing violent games as a teen is truly *bad*, neither do they say that it is *good*. That your position has to be to support parents who are trying to make informed decisions – and teens who are trying to get their parents to make informed decisions. Sometimes the result will be allowing 10 year olds to play Soldier of Fortune, and other times it will be NOT allowing 16 year olds to play the same game. The position is to assist with accurate and objective information, not judge.
March 8th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I’m open-minded, but to be honest, I think there is measurable good. Starting with bonding and learning fair-play (the neglected kids don’t learn that part), going with education, and ending with the fact that the imaginary play of kids from war zones is violent – indicating that maybe we seek scary stuff like violence – and being tested – as catharsis.
I mainly see them as entertainment and clever ways to educate, and I limit my kid’s exposure because I want to keep them from the disturbing/upsetting stuff. As you said Mike, roll it out slow.
March 8th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
My point has always been that there are plenty of awesome games like New Super Mario Bros or Super Smash Bros or Toontown or Fate to keep you going. I can’t wait to share games like The Witcher with them, but I am in no rush to have them play it.